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Before & Laughter
Self-help meets memoir in this deeply insightful, fascinating and entertaining audiobook about happiness by one of the country's most treasured comedians.
*A memoir and self-help manual by one of the country's most treasured comedians - for anyone who feels stuck in a rut but doesn't have the tools or self-belief to shake things up*
In his mid-twenties, Jimmy was bored, boring, unfulfilled and underachieving. He wasn't exactly depressed, but he was very sad. Think of a baby owl whose mum has recently died in a windmill accident. He was that sad. This audiobook tells the story of how Jimmy turned it around and got happy, through the redemptive power of dick jokes.
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this audiobook is as timely as it is unnecessary.
Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy's life - the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin - while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you've always dreamt of being. It's cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.
Before & Laughter contains the answers to all the big questions in life, questions
· What's the secret to happiness?
· Is Jimmy wearing a wig?
· What happened with that tax thing?
· What's the meaning of life?
· Is Jimmy's laugh real?
· Can those teeth bite through vibranium?
Because it's Jimmy Carr - recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK - there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this audiobook in Nightingale Hospitals.
Fascinating, thoughtful and insightful - are all words that appear in the audiobook.
*A memoir and self-help manual by one of the country's most treasured comedians - for anyone who feels stuck in a rut but doesn't have the tools or self-belief to shake things up*
In his mid-twenties, Jimmy was bored, boring, unfulfilled and underachieving. He wasn't exactly depressed, but he was very sad. Think of a baby owl whose mum has recently died in a windmill accident. He was that sad. This audiobook tells the story of how Jimmy turned it around and got happy, through the redemptive power of dick jokes.
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this audiobook is as timely as it is unnecessary.
Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy's life - the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin - while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you've always dreamt of being. It's cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.
Before & Laughter contains the answers to all the big questions in life, questions
· What's the secret to happiness?
· Is Jimmy wearing a wig?
· What happened with that tax thing?
· What's the meaning of life?
· Is Jimmy's laugh real?
· Can those teeth bite through vibranium?
Because it's Jimmy Carr - recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK - there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this audiobook in Nightingale Hospitals.
Fascinating, thoughtful and insightful - are all words that appear in the audiobook.
Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2021
710 people are currently reading
4433 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Carr
10 books131 followersJames Anthony Patrick "Jimmy" Carr (born 15 September 1972) is an English comedian and humourist, known for his deadpan delivery, dark humour, and use of edgy one-liners. He is also a writer, actor and presenter of radio and television. Carr moved to a career in comedy in 2000 and has become a successful British comedian. After becoming established as a stand-up comedian, Carr began to appear in a number of Channel 4 television shows, most notably as the host of the panel show 8 out of 10 Cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
November 8, 2021
Not really sure about this one as it was a lot different from what I was expecting. More of a self help book than a funny biography and almost stopped reading it before I had really got into it. I know that is more or less the description advertised but nevertheless I wasn’t expecting so much of the preaching. I didn’t like it at all at the start but eventually some of the humour came through and made it a more enjoyable read. I would much prefer more of the anecdotes and background to his life rather than telling me how to live my life etc.
Some of his thoughts were interesting but a little too much time spent preaching making it a bit tedious. I appreciate what Jimmy Carr was trying to do with this book but personally would have preferred the more traditional biography full of anecdotes and stories rather than how to improve your life.
Some of his thoughts were interesting but a little too much time spent preaching making it a bit tedious. I appreciate what Jimmy Carr was trying to do with this book but personally would have preferred the more traditional biography full of anecdotes and stories rather than how to improve your life.
October 1, 2021
More motivational quotes than your mum's friends Facebook page.
December 29, 2021
Absolutely loved this. Definitely gave me a new perspective on things. Also very funny but that's just obvious.
October 22, 2021
I ‘discovered’ Irish comedian Jimmy Carr when I stumbled upon the panel show ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ on YouTube only a year or two ago. The show opened up an entire collection of British comedy programs I promptly binged, and given the incestuous nature of the business, Carr had a role in many of them. Whether acting as a host or panellist, he often makes me laugh out loud, even if his humour tends to be more on the deliberately offensive, smutty side.
Billed as a memoir and self help book, I was somewhat surprised to find Before & Laughter leans far more into the latter than the former. There are glimpses of Carr here as he touches on his relationship with his parents, shares the story of throwing in his corporate job at Shell to take a chance on comedy, offers a mea culpa for his ‘tax thing’, and speaks of his partner and child, but largely this is a book of advice on how to find your purpose and be true to yourself.
Before & Laughter is funny as expected, with Jimmy sharing plenty of humorous anecdotes, but it’s also surprisingly sensible and insightful. There isn’t anything particularly unique about the essence of Carr’s advice, but his frame of reference - stand up comedy - is something different. Carr has an interesting perspective on life informed by the nature of his work, which involves more intense labour than you would expect. Though I don’t care much for self help blather generally, I think Carr offers some sound advice for anyone looking to enhance or change their life.
Whether you buy into the motivational message or not, Before & Laughter is an entertaining read.
Billed as a memoir and self help book, I was somewhat surprised to find Before & Laughter leans far more into the latter than the former. There are glimpses of Carr here as he touches on his relationship with his parents, shares the story of throwing in his corporate job at Shell to take a chance on comedy, offers a mea culpa for his ‘tax thing’, and speaks of his partner and child, but largely this is a book of advice on how to find your purpose and be true to yourself.
Before & Laughter is funny as expected, with Jimmy sharing plenty of humorous anecdotes, but it’s also surprisingly sensible and insightful. There isn’t anything particularly unique about the essence of Carr’s advice, but his frame of reference - stand up comedy - is something different. Carr has an interesting perspective on life informed by the nature of his work, which involves more intense labour than you would expect. Though I don’t care much for self help blather generally, I think Carr offers some sound advice for anyone looking to enhance or change their life.
Whether you buy into the motivational message or not, Before & Laughter is an entertaining read.
April 6, 2022
So Mr. Carr wrote a self-help book. I didn't know this was a self-help book, or I wouldn't have read it. I loathe self-help books, I judge people who read them to find solutions to their problems and I find them boring and utterly stupid, not that I have read many, or any.
But predictably this book is funny and the fact that it's based on a real person's experiences and not just bullshitty abstract dos and don'ts makes it sound normal and readable.
Naturally, I absolutely enjoyed the nonstop flow of profanity.
I loved the fact that he mentions these are mostly first world problems, in the third world people would burn this book either to keep warm or so that the thought-police wouldn't catch them reading it. (or something to that effect. As much as I'd like to think otherwise, technically it's almost true.)
This is not a politically correct book because the writer isn't a politically correct person, so if you're into that kind of stuff or get easily offended, it's not for you.
I can't believe I'm giving 4 stars to a self-help book.
But predictably this book is funny and the fact that it's based on a real person's experiences and not just bullshitty abstract dos and don'ts makes it sound normal and readable.
Naturally, I absolutely enjoyed the nonstop flow of profanity.
I loved the fact that he mentions these are mostly first world problems, in the third world people would burn this book either to keep warm or so that the thought-police wouldn't catch them reading it. (or something to that effect. As much as I'd like to think otherwise, technically it's almost true.)
This is not a politically correct book because the writer isn't a politically correct person, so if you're into that kind of stuff or get easily offended, it's not for you.
I can't believe I'm giving 4 stars to a self-help book.
October 7, 2021
This was brilliant. I've always been a fan of his comedy, but his depth and wisdom were surprising.
I listened to the Audiobook version and really enjoyed it, but I might grab the paper version well because there are a bunch of quotes and sections that I would like to reread.
I listened to the Audiobook version and really enjoyed it, but I might grab the paper version well because there are a bunch of quotes and sections that I would like to reread.
December 6, 2021
a mixture between memoir and self help book with humour added not normally a book I would read
May 31, 2024
Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's ok. This turned out way better than I feared it would when the audiobook first kicked off. Carr speaks at an incredibly rapid pace. I checked the speed levels on the playback more than once, because I was sure it was playing fast. But once I caught up with him, I enjoyed the ride. It's a funny read. Most of the advice is tailored towards comedians, but it's usually broad enough to apply to anyone going through that massive clusterfuck we call life.
December 31, 2022
Like Greenlights, with dick jokes.
This was my non-fiction book of the year and a heavy contender for my overall book of the year. Smart, funny, entertaining, and authentic. Loved it from start to finish. What surprised me was the number of highlights I added to readwise. There was real value here. Certainly one that I'll read again.
This was my non-fiction book of the year and a heavy contender for my overall book of the year. Smart, funny, entertaining, and authentic. Loved it from start to finish. What surprised me was the number of highlights I added to readwise. There was real value here. Certainly one that I'll read again.
October 8, 2021
Well that was not what I was expecting , but Jimmy Carr always makes me laugh. A self help book of sorts only not the usual kind. It was funny and enjoyable
October 3, 2021
‘In his mid-twenties, Jimmy was bored, boring, unfulfilled and underachieving. He wasn’t exactly depressed, but he was very sad. Think of a baby owl whose mum has recently died in a windmill accident. He was that sad. This book tells the story of how Jimmy turned it around and got happy, through the redemptive power of dick jokes.
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary.
Because you might be interested in Jimmy’s life but he’s damn sure you’re a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy’s life – the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin – while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you’ve always dreamt of being. At just 20, it’s cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.
Before & Laughter contains the answers to all the big questions in life, questions like:
What’s the secret to happiness?
Is Jimmy wearing a wig?
What happened with that tax thing?
What’s the meaning of life?
Is Jimmy’s laugh real?
Can those teeth bite through vibranium?
And for readers in the West Country: yes, there are pictures (actually, sorry, there are no pictures, but there’s a book about a hungry caterpillar you’ll love).
Because it’s Jimmy Carr – recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK – there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this book in Nightingale Hospitals.’
This book was thoroughly entertaining.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, other than knowing it was going to be funny. What I found was a funny, smart and at times sweet book that I didn’t want to put down.
I really loved the fact that this book wasn’t a standard autobiography; the mix between biography and self-help book was both strange and awesome, and to be honest, I wouldn’t expect anything other than strange and awesome from Jimmy Carr.
This book delves into Jimmy Carr’s life and career; without sugar-coating anything. He also talks about the things he has learned throughout his life and how they have shaped him. This insight was something I hadn’t expected but am glad that I got it, as it made for a truly wonderful reading experience.
His ability to eject humour into emotional moments, and the way he is able to call out both his and everyone else’s flaws while providing a different very of any given situation is Jimmy Carr at his best.
As with his humour; this book may not be to everyone’s taste, but I loved every second of it.
Before & Laughter by Jimmy Carr is a fascinating read that you won’t want to end.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary.
Because you might be interested in Jimmy’s life but he’s damn sure you’re a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy’s life – the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin – while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you’ve always dreamt of being. At just 20, it’s cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.
Before & Laughter contains the answers to all the big questions in life, questions like:
What’s the secret to happiness?
Is Jimmy wearing a wig?
What happened with that tax thing?
What’s the meaning of life?
Is Jimmy’s laugh real?
Can those teeth bite through vibranium?
And for readers in the West Country: yes, there are pictures (actually, sorry, there are no pictures, but there’s a book about a hungry caterpillar you’ll love).
Because it’s Jimmy Carr – recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK – there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this book in Nightingale Hospitals.’
This book was thoroughly entertaining.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, other than knowing it was going to be funny. What I found was a funny, smart and at times sweet book that I didn’t want to put down.
I really loved the fact that this book wasn’t a standard autobiography; the mix between biography and self-help book was both strange and awesome, and to be honest, I wouldn’t expect anything other than strange and awesome from Jimmy Carr.
This book delves into Jimmy Carr’s life and career; without sugar-coating anything. He also talks about the things he has learned throughout his life and how they have shaped him. This insight was something I hadn’t expected but am glad that I got it, as it made for a truly wonderful reading experience.
His ability to eject humour into emotional moments, and the way he is able to call out both his and everyone else’s flaws while providing a different very of any given situation is Jimmy Carr at his best.
As with his humour; this book may not be to everyone’s taste, but I loved every second of it.
Before & Laughter by Jimmy Carr is a fascinating read that you won’t want to end.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
October 23, 2021
I’m not much into autobiographies, but because I love Jimmy Carr I thought I’d give him a go. I read the first 100 pages and I just couldn’t get into it, I was hoping it would be more about him and less than a self-help/motivational book. I decided to then change over to the audible version. That was so much better! Hearing it through Jimmy’s voice made so much more sense and was much more enjoyable. I fully recommend this book, especially by audible!!
June 30, 2025
Thought I would listen to something completely different after a bit of dystopian fiction - so thought why not listen to a funny man tell his life story.
I was pleasantly surprised that it is more of an inspirational self help book, through the lens of how Jimmy changed his mindset to change his life - and I loved it!
Audiobook narrated by Jimmy himself was 👌
I was pleasantly surprised that it is more of an inspirational self help book, through the lens of how Jimmy changed his mindset to change his life - and I loved it!
Audiobook narrated by Jimmy himself was 👌
February 1, 2022
Carr vraj napísal počas pandémie knihu, "lebo je to dôstojnejšie, ako začať podcast". Z nejakého dôvodu je to self-help kniha, kde sa snaží dávať vážne rady do života, a tie rady do života sú bohužiaľ neuveriteľne banálne a predvídateľné. (Buďte dobrí k iným ľuďom, buďte odvážni, snažte sa, atď...)
Môže to byť super trebárs pre tínedžerov so zmyslom pre čierny humor, ale pre čitateľa od 17 rokov vyššie je to takpovediac cringe.
Čiže toto je v jadre zlá a zbytočná kniha, ALE napísal ju Carr, ktorý je stále tak treskúco vtipný ako vždy, čiže tie rady sú popretkávané veľkým množstvom dobrých vtipov, a nie všetky z nich sú z jeho standupov, a akurát keď chcete už knihu hodiť do koša, tak príde zasa ďalší odsek s ďalším vtipom a tak to nakoniec dokonca stojí za prečítanie.
Výber citátov:
- Eventually, I decided being a priest wasn’t for me. Fundamentally I just don’t find kids that attractive.
- Guess what you are – an asshole. Apologies to any assholes reading this, I know you’re a key demographic for me.
- Endangered animals can fuck off. If they’re not willing to be flexible about food (I’m talking to you, Mr Panda), if they’re not willing to fuck (you again, Panda Boy), fuck ’em.
- Rickles is performing in Vegas to a packed room. He’s the biggest comedian in the world at that time. Right in front, there’s an empty table and it’s reserved. About twenty minutes into his routine, he’s killing it, when who walks in? Marilyn Monroe, who is the most famous human in the world. Suddenly no one is listening to ‘the Don’ any more, they’re looking at Marilyn Monroe. She sashays to the front table and sits down. Now Rickles knows everyone in the room is staring at Marilyn, so he waits a beat and says, ‘I thought I told you to wait in the truck.’
- Still, credit where it’s due. When it comes to dying on a cross for the sins of others, Jesus absolutely nailed it.
- you’re right, I wouldn’t do a joke like that about Mohammed. Because it could be ‘triggering’ – but with literal triggers
- Let me tell you a story from showbiz. Hugh Grant is a friend and Monica Lewinsky is a friend of a friend and if you haven’t seen her TED Talk on being publicly shamed, may I recommend you stop reading, go and watch that and come back. Done? She’s great, right? So, at a party at my place I introduced Hugh to Monica in the kitchen, ‘Hugh, Monica, Monica, Hugh.’ And he said, ‘Hello, I’m Hugh, the other fellatio story from 1996.’
- I used to be a people-pleaser, but people don’t like people-pleasers, so I stopped.
- The first few shows blew me away by how good they were. And then I went to see some shit ones and thought, ‘Well, I could do that.’ Thank God (the one I don’t believe in) for mediocrity. Mediocrity is inspiring stuff.
- Peter Cook was at a party and asked someone what they were up to. The guy said, ‘I’m writing a book.’ ‘Oh really,’ Cook said. ‘Neither am I.’
- As Steven Wright so wisely said, ‘You can’t have everything, where would you put it?’
- Critics of mass culture have a trick of weighing the worst of the present with the best of the past. — John Gross
- ‘Fuck off,’ she explained.
Môže to byť super trebárs pre tínedžerov so zmyslom pre čierny humor, ale pre čitateľa od 17 rokov vyššie je to takpovediac cringe.
Čiže toto je v jadre zlá a zbytočná kniha, ALE napísal ju Carr, ktorý je stále tak treskúco vtipný ako vždy, čiže tie rady sú popretkávané veľkým množstvom dobrých vtipov, a nie všetky z nich sú z jeho standupov, a akurát keď chcete už knihu hodiť do koša, tak príde zasa ďalší odsek s ďalším vtipom a tak to nakoniec dokonca stojí za prečítanie.
Výber citátov:
- Eventually, I decided being a priest wasn’t for me. Fundamentally I just don’t find kids that attractive.
- Guess what you are – an asshole. Apologies to any assholes reading this, I know you’re a key demographic for me.
- Endangered animals can fuck off. If they’re not willing to be flexible about food (I’m talking to you, Mr Panda), if they’re not willing to fuck (you again, Panda Boy), fuck ’em.
- Rickles is performing in Vegas to a packed room. He’s the biggest comedian in the world at that time. Right in front, there’s an empty table and it’s reserved. About twenty minutes into his routine, he’s killing it, when who walks in? Marilyn Monroe, who is the most famous human in the world. Suddenly no one is listening to ‘the Don’ any more, they’re looking at Marilyn Monroe. She sashays to the front table and sits down. Now Rickles knows everyone in the room is staring at Marilyn, so he waits a beat and says, ‘I thought I told you to wait in the truck.’
- Still, credit where it’s due. When it comes to dying on a cross for the sins of others, Jesus absolutely nailed it.
- you’re right, I wouldn’t do a joke like that about Mohammed. Because it could be ‘triggering’ – but with literal triggers
- Let me tell you a story from showbiz. Hugh Grant is a friend and Monica Lewinsky is a friend of a friend and if you haven’t seen her TED Talk on being publicly shamed, may I recommend you stop reading, go and watch that and come back. Done? She’s great, right? So, at a party at my place I introduced Hugh to Monica in the kitchen, ‘Hugh, Monica, Monica, Hugh.’ And he said, ‘Hello, I’m Hugh, the other fellatio story from 1996.’
- I used to be a people-pleaser, but people don’t like people-pleasers, so I stopped.
- The first few shows blew me away by how good they were. And then I went to see some shit ones and thought, ‘Well, I could do that.’ Thank God (the one I don’t believe in) for mediocrity. Mediocrity is inspiring stuff.
- Peter Cook was at a party and asked someone what they were up to. The guy said, ‘I’m writing a book.’ ‘Oh really,’ Cook said. ‘Neither am I.’
- As Steven Wright so wisely said, ‘You can’t have everything, where would you put it?’
- Critics of mass culture have a trick of weighing the worst of the present with the best of the past. — John Gross
- ‘Fuck off,’ she explained.
June 6, 2022
This book is quite funny, crude, sweet, honest, interesting and vulnerable. But...
It tries very hard to be a self help book. There's some good nuggets in there, but nothing really original. And it's just too much of it. Too much preaching, too many quotes and too many clichés. And too little of everything else. Too little depth, too little of Jimmy's life and too little of things that interested me personally lol. Many times he mentioned something that happened in his life, and I thought "oo this will be fun!" and then he moved on from it faster than you can say "your mum". (Which is a joke he repeats a lot on this book, and to my own detriment, I have to admit, it was well done every time.)
I'm glad to have read it, and he has many good points. And a couple of pills that can be hard to swallow. Everything in it will not be for everyone (certainly wasn't for me), but if you can find one or two things that inspire you, that might be good enough I reckon.
It tries very hard to be a self help book. There's some good nuggets in there, but nothing really original. And it's just too much of it. Too much preaching, too many quotes and too many clichés. And too little of everything else. Too little depth, too little of Jimmy's life and too little of things that interested me personally lol. Many times he mentioned something that happened in his life, and I thought "oo this will be fun!" and then he moved on from it faster than you can say "your mum". (Which is a joke he repeats a lot on this book, and to my own detriment, I have to admit, it was well done every time.)
I'm glad to have read it, and he has many good points. And a couple of pills that can be hard to swallow. Everything in it will not be for everyone (certainly wasn't for me), but if you can find one or two things that inspire you, that might be good enough I reckon.
October 3, 2021
More of a self help book than a memoir, which I wasn't expecting.
I enjoyed the parts where he shares anecdotes from his career or talks about his life more than the self help stuff.
If you like Jimmy Carr, you will like this. If you don't you probably wont have bought it in the first place.
I enjoyed the parts where he shares anecdotes from his career or talks about his life more than the self help stuff.
If you like Jimmy Carr, you will like this. If you don't you probably wont have bought it in the first place.
January 25, 2023
Very funny, Jimmy Carr shines from the page. Actually some very good advice for life tbf. Also PSA it is like a self help book/ autobiography- not just an autobiography like I thoughy it would be. Big font so if you can read at a decent speed you will finish far quicker than me. If you like Jimmy or need to sort your life out a very good read!
October 7, 2021
The audio book is fantastic!
July 30, 2022
Once again, I am quite a biased reviewer when it comes to authors I have a soft spot for; this notion is no less present when it comes to Jimmy Carr’s semi autobiographical self help book. It is as funny as expected, surprisingly thought provoking and peppered with short anecdotes that most may have never heard before. I can’t recommend the audiobook enough, as I was laughing so often I lost track of time and “like a teenager with a laptop, I was surprised at how far I’d come”. The book is a great deal of fun, and owing to the clever signposting from famous philosophers like Plato and Gandalf, you always get the impression Carr is really trying to say something above the comedy. Carr’s challenging upbringing and his present Hollywood life contextualise his suggestions and it is clear that a great deal of love and work has gone into the text. Overall, if you pick this book up, you are in for some guaranteed laughs and perhaps a few life lessons along the way.
P.S. Please note that it isn’t exactly an autobiography; It really is a preachy self help book peppered with anecdotes, yet, nonetheless still an enjoyable journey.
P.S. Please note that it isn’t exactly an autobiography; It really is a preachy self help book peppered with anecdotes, yet, nonetheless still an enjoyable journey.
November 22, 2021
Immense - after hearing Jimmy on The Diary of a CEO, I realised that he was a very intelligent guy and had a lot of share. Having bought his book off the back of listening to him on the podcast, I was not disappointed.
This book brings together lots of strands of self improvement, growth and mindful productivity, all while encouraging people to enjoy the journey and do what fulfils them.
It's also very funny - I listened to the audiobook read by Jimmy and I suspect this made it even funnier. It's so good in fact, that I'm going to go though it again on my Kindle.
This book brings together lots of strands of self improvement, growth and mindful productivity, all while encouraging people to enjoy the journey and do what fulfils them.
It's also very funny - I listened to the audiobook read by Jimmy and I suspect this made it even funnier. It's so good in fact, that I'm going to go though it again on my Kindle.
October 7, 2021
Very funny book. Part biography and part productivity and self-help guide for creatives. Really enjoyed it.
January 9, 2024
..šo noklausījos autora balsī. humora pilna grāmata par dzīves svarīgajām lietām. un par to, kas darāms, lai nepalaistu garām savas iespējas. kā jokā par večuku, kurš Dievam lūdz, lai vinnētu lotto, bet biļeti šis nekad tā arī nav nopircis. grāmatā bija daudz melnā humora, bet kopumā diezgan labs ieskats ne tikai autora paša dzīvē, bet tā, lai arī lasītājs/klausītājs top viedāks. pie šīs kādreiz derētu atgriezties. šoreiz papīra formātā, lai visu labo var pasvītrot.
October 7, 2025
3.75 stars
Come for the quotes on every single page... Stay for the anecdotes about life. I wasn't sure what to expect. I know of Jimmy Carr but, of course, I don't really know him. After this, I'm still not sure I know him. His philosophies are complete and it was enjoyable to hear many of them expanded upon. However, there really wasn't much personal. That being said, I don't think he aimed for it to be personal. I think this was created to be digestible and accessible. You can pick up any section and learn something. Whether that is about yourself, the world around you, or about Carr's views, is up to you.
Come for the quotes on every single page... Stay for the anecdotes about life. I wasn't sure what to expect. I know of Jimmy Carr but, of course, I don't really know him. After this, I'm still not sure I know him. His philosophies are complete and it was enjoyable to hear many of them expanded upon. However, there really wasn't much personal. That being said, I don't think he aimed for it to be personal. I think this was created to be digestible and accessible. You can pick up any section and learn something. Whether that is about yourself, the world around you, or about Carr's views, is up to you.
February 23, 2022
I’ve never been this shamed by the author for listening to an audiobook… and I loved it :D
Deep truths with bursts of laughter, what a genious combination!
Deep truths with bursts of laughter, what a genious combination!
December 29, 2022
A kind of self help book, but funnier
April 3, 2023
If you love Jimmy Carr, you will love this book. It's morea memoir than a self help book, but he does put some life lessons into great (and funny) context.
November 24, 2024
An interesting and funny autobiography, with an unnecessary self-help book tacked on that doesn't add anything.
Read
June 8, 2025DNF
March 28, 2022
The best part of the book is when Jimmy Carr gives personal anecdotes like in a traditional autobiography. But this isn’t really an autobiography and more of a self help book. As a self help book it didn’t really grab me. It was funny and well read by Carr, but I hope he writes a more traditional autobiography.
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